Top 2019 trends for skilled nursing

According to Skilled Nursing News, these trends we will experience in 2019. Starting off, CMS will step up enforcement and look to cut reimbursements.

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CMS will up its weekend inspections of nursing homes

The CMS notified state survey agencies it will use payroll-based staffing data to identify facilities with reduced weekend staffing, and require the agencies to conduct at least 50% of off-hours surveys of those facilities on weekends, starting immediately. Read More >>

NJ council recommends changes to improve end-of-life care

The New Jersey Governor’s Advisory Council on End-of-Life Care recommended a number of things that can be done to strengthen patient priorities and wishes at the end of life, and avoid unnecessarily care treatments.

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Senate committee releases unfavorable report on nursing home emergency preparedness

Compiled by the Democratic members of the Senate Committee on Finance, the report — titled “Sheltering in Danger” — specifically looked at operators’ responses to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in 2017.

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The next steps in flu prevention

The first and most important step is to get vaccinated. 

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Bill aims for hospice workers to destroy unused, unneeded opioids

A spokesperson for Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, one of the Democrats who pushed for this provision to be included in the overall opioid package that the Senate passed Wednesday, said the idea was sparked by Kaiser Health News’ reporting.

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Rep. Sean Duffy introduces mandatory CNA training lockout to improve SNFs

The CNA training lockout currently impacts more than half of all Skilled Nursing Facilities in Wisconsin, while in some states that number is much higher.

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New rules set for dialysis in nursing homes

Revisions to the State Operations Manual were released to state survey agencies by David Wright, the director of the Quality, Safety and Oversight Group at CMS, and are effective immediately with no further changes.

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Nursing home admissions halted after resident’s injury, lack of treatment

The patient fractured her knees while falling out of bed in front of a nurse assistant, then complained of "intense pain," state records show. 

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Change in federal guidelines may lower ratings despite level of care

The government is focused on staffing, no longer allowing facilities to report their own staffing levels. The measurements are now based on payroll reports.

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